Instructors (past and current)
Jim Arnosky is a naturalist and artist who writes and illustrates his own children’s books that have received national awards and recognition. They emphasize experiencing nature first-hand, sketching and journaling and includes such titles as Wild and Swampy, Wild About Deer, Drawing from Nature, the Crinkleroot Series, and many, many more.
Merlin Benner, M.S. is a retired Wildlife Biologist formerly with the DCNR, Bureau of Forestry, an avid sportsman and educator. He is extremely knowledgeable on the natural history of Pennsylvania’s wildlilfe, their habitat and distribution and very passionate about his work.
Jim Bissell is the Curator and Head of Botany, and Coordinator of Natural Areas for the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. He has worked extensively in the Pymatuning Ecosystem inventorying plant species and assisting in conservation efforts.
Tim Block, Ph.D. is Director of Botany for the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania. He has extensive field knowledge of terrestrial and aquatic plants of Pennsylvania. He is co-author of the comprehensive “Plants of Pennsylvania” and has recently completed “Pennsylvania Trees - A Natural History” scheduled for publication in the fall.
Steve Breininger taught biology at Kutztown School District for 33 years, retiring in 2006. He studied under Frank Keim, a well-known naturalist, and shares his passions for field ornithology and trout angling. He is legendary among his students for his mentorship in outdoor learning.
Jim Brett is a naturalist, writer and educator. He authored “The Mountain and the Migration” and has been internationally recognized for his conservation work. He served as the curator of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for over 25 years and is eager to share his knowledge of Pennsylvania’s rich natural and cultural history.
Scott Brown is an amateur photographer who has authored Pennsylvania Waterfalls: A Guide for Hikers and Photographers, and Pennsylvania Mountain Vistas: A Guide for Hikers and Photographers. He is an engineering professional and physics teacher. An avid outdoor photographer and hiker, he has had articles published in Nature Photographer, Pennsylvania Magazine, and has images published nationally. He enjoys sharing with others his passion for the outdoors through visual arts.
Rawley Cogan is a wildlife biologist noted for his work with Pennsylvania Elk and their reintroduction back into the wild landscape. Currently, he serves as the Initiative Program Director, Northeast Region for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
Gregory Hoover, Extension Entomologist, has been responsible for the woody ornamental entomology extension program in the Department of Entomology at the Pennsylvania State University for the past 16 years. He has been teaching aquatic entomology to fly rod anglers for more than 15 years. He has written articles on trout stream insects for many of the fly fishing journals in the United States and coauthored the book, Great Rivers -Great Hatches with Charlie Meck.
David Hughes, a Pennsylvania native, spent his youth fascinated by nature and transferring his creative thoughts on paper. Pursuing his talents, David studied with premiere wildlife artist Fred Wetzel. David brings his inspirations from sketchpad to acrylics, watercolors, and coffee art with passion and energy for his love of nature and sharing his talent with others.
Hal Korber is a professional photographer and videographer and works for the Pennsylvania Game Commission. He produced the acclaimed Black Bear educational video receiving an international award. His photography and video work is featured throughout many statewide publications.
Craig Kochel, Ph.D. is a professor of Geology at Bucknell University. He is the author/co-author of three books, including Process Geomorphology (the best-selling text in the field) and serves as an officer of the Division of Quaternary Geology & Geomorphology of The Geological Society of America.
Tom Lecky is one of the best naturalists in Pennsylvania. Tom was educated at California University of PA where he earned a B.S. in Biology. His professional career has included extensive field work with the California Condor Recovery Team, The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, raptor migration monitoring at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, and Maine Audubon where Tom has taught field ornithology for many years. He has guided international natural history tours to Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, and African countries.
Pamela Michael is the River of Words Executive Director, ROW co-founder and a writer and communications specialist. She is the former director of the United Nations’ Task Force on Media and Education. She is the author of several books, including The Whole World is Watching: An International Inquiry into Media Involvement in Education and The Gift of Rivers: True Stories of Life on the Water.
Sarah Miller is a botanist with over 10 years of field experience in plant identification. She has conducted several plant identification workshops at Penn State University and has trained restoration professionals and members of the Pennsylvania Native Plant Society. She is certified as a Professional Wetland Scientist with the Society of Wetland Scientists.
Susan Munch, Ph.D. is a professional botanist. She has taught plant morphology, plant ecology and plant taxonomy in institutions in MD, OH and Albright College In PA.
Richard Nickelsen, Ph.D. is a Professor Emeritus of Geology at Bucknell University. Specializing in structural geology, he is reknowned for his work in this field and his publications, and is a passionate field teacher.
Ann Rhoads, Ph.D. is the Senior Botanist for the Pennsylvania Flora Project at Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania. She has taught plant systematics and field botany during her tenure. Her accomplishments include her work with the Pennsylvania Flora Database, a valuable resource for rare plant studies and co-authoring the “Plants of Pennsylvania” & “Pennsylvania Trees, A Natural History”(scheduled for publication in fall, 2004)
Michele Richards-Williams, co-founder and Director of PICE. Michele has a degree in conservation biology with over 16 years of experience of directing and overseeing field-based environmental education and outdoor learning programs. She is an avid outdoorswoman.
Lee Schisler is the President of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. He served as Executive Director of the Audubon Society of Rhode Island since 1993 with over 25 years of experience in conservation. Lee is a native of Pennsylvania and began his career in conservation in the state.
Chuck Yohn, Ph.D. is the Director of the Raystown Field Station and Professor of Juniata College in PA. He is a knowledgeable birder and an enthusiastic and engaging educator who teaches ornithology, vertebrate zoology and ecology.
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